What is ridiculous is having the government make your decisions

What language should I write my letter in? Apparently the English language is not working well for comprehension. Let’s get something straight Mr. Ambrose Bennett. First of all, I am not a politician so before you try to “label” someone, make sure you have your facts in place to justify your “hunch.” It is ridiculous to assume inaccurate information.

Not in any word did my letter support SHEFA or CNMI’s inconsistency to release checks and their lack of justification on their method for deciding who receives their awards first and who waits Both SHEFA and CNMI Scholarship are in need of re-structuring their approach and organization. I am quite aware that some students have received their awards while others are left waiting—this is UNFAIR! But where in my letter did it state that I supported their manner of disbursement? My view is not in defense of SHEFA or CNMI. Both agencies have their share of liable faults; but to blame them for us as students not being able to meet tuition deadlines because of delayed disbursement are unfair to them. Technically, it’s not their problem.

If you read the first sentence of my letter you would see that I stated I am a current student; therefore I am experiencing the same situations with the delay of checks. And to humor your comment on being financially well off; I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I am just another student, mother, and wife who work full-time to pay for living and educational expenses. To top it off, my husband is a college student as well. So there’s no arrogance in my story, just plain and simple understanding, independence, and many huge sacrifices. And to be honest, if SHEFA does not release spring awards by August, I might be forced to take a semester or two off to save money. If this happens, it is still my problem. Yes, this probably wouldn’t be the case if awards were issued within at least the semester; but tell me why should I blame them for this? It is what it is!

SHEFA and the CNMI have a contractual agreement with students and parents when an award has been approved. However, nowhere in the contract (MOA) is it stated that they must provide the scholarship funds within a certain period or time. So technically, these scholarships agencies are not violating their contracts; until they completely fail to disburse.

What is ridiculous is stating the decision to pursue a college education is made by the government and student. I hope you do not impart this type of decision-making on your children; as the decision to pursue a higher education should be based on an individual’s drive to expand knowledge and experience to better succeed in life; and not on what the government offers or in your words “promise.” The government for decades has failed its citizens; I would not see why today you would base a decision of this importance on the government—ridiculous!

I hope you know the definition of “risk” since you perceive a college education as a non-risk journey besides the “only risk for these students is their dependency upon the CNMI government.” Going to college has multiple risks attached—possibility of getting a low-paying job; high student loan debt; low demand in the work field; etc; which is more of a reason for this type of decision to be based on more than just what the government “promise.”

What you need to protest on is a contractual agreement where funds should be released when approved by x number of weeks/months of x days of whatever you think it should be, since you seem to dwell over this exact issue.

So I thank you for your opinions and views as I take criticism constructively!